Cubs' Arrieta returns this weekend

Manager Rick Renteria confirmed that Arrieta, who has been sidelined since spring training because of tightness in his right shoulder, will make his 2014 debut this weekend, with Carlos Villanueva shifting to the bullpen.

"It’s nice to have him back," Renteria said Monday of Arrieta, who was 4-2 with a 3.66 ERA in nine starts in 2013 after coming to the Cubs in a trade from the Baltimore Orioles. "He’s still working his way back in terms of finally getting his feet back on a major league field and doing what he does."

Arrieta was 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA in 20 innings covering five starts on his minor league rehabilitation assignment.

“It was a pain in the (rear), throwing every 3-4-5 days, not having a set routine and traveling all over the place, throwing an inning here and there," Arrieta said. "It’s nice to be done with that and be back here with the team every five days taking the ball and competing."

Arrieta seemed eager to take the next step in his career after unfulfilled expectations with the Orioles.

"The work I put in, the sky’s the limit," Arrieta said. "I can be a guy that this team can rely on for a long time. I showed a lot of that last year, and I’m confident I can pick up where I left off and even be better than that. I’m very confident.’’

The Cubs believe the return of Arrieta will strengthen the pitching staff, given that Villanueva has had more success out of the bullpen, where he was 6-1 with a 3.03 ERA in 32 relief appearances last year and 1-7 with a 4.50 ERA in 15 starts.

Prior to this season, Villanueva had a 3.69 ERA as a reliever and was 17-29 with a 4.73 ERA in 71 starts.

“I thought it was the plan this spring, keeping the seat warm and I kept it a little warm, I guess," said Villanueva, who was 1-3 with a 10.19 ERA in four starts and made two relief appearances this season.

"I think Jake will make this team better now. I’m going to back to where I had the most success the last number of years. We’re working on some things, sorting some things out on my own. I’ve done well in short spurts.

"The problem for me is facing a lineup a couple times over. Starting, at least for this month, didn’t go well. I’m not over it. Where I’m needed is in the bullpen, and Jake has the stuff and the ceiling and he’ll perform where he’s expected to perform.’’